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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






2. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






3. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






4. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






5. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






6. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






7. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






8. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






9. The tonal characteristics determined by the relationship of the notes to the tone.






10. A piece of music written for two vocalists or instrumentalists.






11. Music that is easy to listen to and understand.






12. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






13. A chord comprised of three whole tones resulting in an augmented fourth or diminished fifth.






14. Combination of two or more keys being played at the same time.






15. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






16. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






17. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






18. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






19. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






20. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






21. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






22. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






23. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






24. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






25. A period in history dating from the 14th to 16th centuries. This period signified the rebirth of music - art - and literature.






26. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






27. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






28. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






29. The interval between two notes. Two whole tones and one semitone make up the distance between the two notes.






30. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






31. Groups of tones that are harmonious when sounded together as in a chord.






32. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






33. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






34. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






35. A group singing in unison.






36. A solo concert with or without accompaniment.






37. The unit of measure where the beats on the lines of the staff are divided up into two - three - four beats to a measure.






38. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






39. Pertains to tone or tones.






40. The structure of a piece of music.






41. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






42. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






43. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






44. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






45. A chord progression that seems to lead to resolving itself on the final chord; but does not.






46. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






47. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






48. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






49. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






50. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.